greengage

Recently harvested Greengages

The Greengage (Prunus domestica italica or the Reine Claude) is an edible drupaceous fruit, a cultivar of the plum. It was developed in France from a green-fruited wild plum (Ganerik) originally found in Asia Minor. It is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and ranging in colour from green to yellow, grown in temperate areas. They are known for their rich, confectionery flavour that causes them to be considered one of the finest dessert plums.

History and etymology

Sources attribute the origin of the name Greengage variably to several members of the Gage family. One account states that the cultivar was brought into England by the Rev. John Gage who obtained them from the Chartreuse Monastery.^[1] "Green Gages" were imported into England from France in 1724 by Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet, from whom they get their English name.^[2] Allegedly, the labels identifying the French plum trees were lost in transit to Gage's home in Bury St. Edmunds. Soon after, Greengages were cultivated in the American colonies, even being grown on the plantations of American presidents George Washington (1732–1799) and Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826). However, their cultivation in North America has declined significantly since the eighteenth century.

The name Reine Claude (French for "Queen Claude"), by which they are known in France, is named in honour of Claude (1499–1524), the Duchess of Brittany, who became the queen consort of King Francis I of France (1494–1547). They are also called la bonne reine (French for "the good Queen") in France.^[1]

Cultivation

Greengage blossom

Greengages breed more-or-less true from seed, and several similar cultivars produced from seedlings are now available; some of these include other plum cultivars in their parentage:

• 'Bryanston' (UK)
• 'Cambridge Gage' (UK)
• 'Denniston's Superb' (USA)
• 'Golden Transparent' (UK)
• 'Rainha Cláudia' (Portugal)
• 'Laxton's Gage' (UK)
• 'Laxton's Supreme' (UK)
• 'Ontario' (Canada)
• 'Reine Claude de Bavay' (Belgium)
• 'Transparent Gage' (France)
• 'Washington' (USA)

References